Iron County register., 1887-02-10
MARRIED BY PROXY.

mss Nina Van Zandt and August spfes
Constructively Laugh at Bolt and Bars
sno Proceed to Marry by Proxy by the
"ao OF Friendly Justice of the Peace.
CaICAGo, Feb 2.-The announcement is
mace that August Spies and Miss Nina
van landt have been married by proxy
the groom being represented by his broth
er. "A suburban justice of the peace Of
hclated. When Sheriff Matson, about
two weeks ago, issued the order
20 the officials Of the county Jail not
70 admit Miss Van Zandt t. see Angus st
spies, it was thought that thu matter was
settled, but it now appears that neither of
the couple abandoned their purpose. The
law about marrying by letter and mar
rlages by proxy was looked up,
but nothing was found except in
regard to marriages by proxy This
was finally decided upon, and Justice
Englehardt, in the town of Jefferson,
whose name figured in the papers during
the last months of the past year as de-
nouncing the verdict of the Anarchists
trial in public speeches, was consulted
He gave it as his opinion that marriage
by proxy would be binding in law
II the proxy was made out in due legal
form. He was commissioned to draw UP
a form of proxy, and speh considerable
time in making it conform to what he
thought was the law in the case. The
document was not gotten ready until
last Friday.
Early Saturday Miss Van Zandt and
Gretchen Spies, the sister of August,
went out to Jefferson and called on Justice
Englehardt to get the proxy, and having
secured the document, went to the county
jall with it. They met the wife of Spies
brother, Ferdinand, and a Mrs. Wend-
land. Miss Van Zandt's three compan-
ions witnessed the signature of Spies to
the document by which he gave full au-
thority to his brother, Henry W. Spies,
to represent him at the ceremony. Mrs.
Ferdinand Spies and Miss Gretchen
Spies signed the paper to witness
August Spies signature, when the whole
party except Spies himself went with
Ferdinand Spies to Justice Englehardt's 5
Office on Milwaukee avenue, in the town
of Jefferson. They were reinforced on the
way by Miss Van Zandt's parents and
Henry and Christ. Spies, brothers of
August The journey to Justice Engle-
hardt's office was made on foot. 1t was
after eight o'clock Sunday night by this
time. The justice again examined his
law books and then the ceremony was
performed Henry Spies answered 10 The
name of August Vincent Theodore Spies,
and under this name was married to Miss
Van Zandt. The bride and Ter
parents went from the Office Of she
justice to the home of Mr.. md
Mrs. Ferdinand Spies, not far distant, and
remained there over night. The license
has not yet been returned to the county
clerk, as required by law. 1t was issued
only three weeks ago, however. and the
thirty days allowed for its aeSurn have
not yet expired. Justice Englehardt is
authority for the statement that the
marriage was performed.
Spies declines to speak of the cere-
mony, and Miss Van Zandt refuses to be
interviewed. or even to be seen. Her
father also declines to talk, but does not
deny the fact of the ceremony.
Sheriff Matson expressed great surprise,
and then promptly said: 81 would not
consider farce like that a marriage un-
less pronounced so by competent legal au-
thority. The alleged ceremony will not,
in my judgment, change the relations of
the parties. If this action was taken for
the purpose of compelling me to
consent to the visits of Miss
Van Zandt to the Jail, it is a
mistaken course and will not avail There
is no obligation, even if she was his law
full wife, to let her visit Spies, who is my
prisoner. Allowing wives to visit their
imprisoned husbands is merely matter
Of courtesy"